Around 30 animal campaigners carried out the protest today in bid to stop Yulin dog meat festival in China

The controversial festival sees as many as 10,000 animals butchered and eaten on summer solstice

A petition signed by over 11 million people has been submitted to the authority, animal charity claimed

During the event, activists called Yulin in rural Guangxi Province a ‘scumbag’ and ‘a total embarrassment’ to China

A group of animal activists staged a protest today in Beijing in a bid to stop a Chinese dog-eating festival set to occur later this month.

This must stop: A group of around 30 animal activists staged a protest today in Beijing in a bid to stop the Yulin dog meat festival

The demonstration, initiated by three animal protection groups, submitted a petition allegedly signed by over 11 million people, calling on the Chinese authorities to end the Yulin dog meat festival.

The annual festival, which takes place in south China’s Guangxi Province, sees tens of thousands of animals beaten to death, cooked and sold on the market to celebrate summer solstice.

Around 30 activists carried out the protest outside of the Yulin government office as the petition was presented to the authority by three animal charities: Humane Society International, VShine and Beijing Mothers Against Animal Cruelty.

Pictures from today’s event show animal campaigners, many of whom brought their own pet dogs, holding signs saying ‘Scumbag of China’ in English and ‘Shame on Yulin’ in Simplified Chinese.

Wendy Higgins, the Director of International Media at Humane Society International, said over 11 million signatures had been collected worldwide through the internet to demand the festival to stop.

The petition also included signatures gathered by four other international animal welfare organisations. They are RaiseURPaw in Canada as well as the Duo Duo Project, Care2 and Avaaz from the United States.

The petition has been accepted by officials from the Yulin government in Beijing, according to Ms Higgins.

‘There was a huge presence of police, but our hand-in went very peacefully. It was a great feeling to join with our Chinese partner group activists in Beijing today, there was a tremendous sense of determination to get our voices heard to the global media, and to let the world know that many people across China want the brutal Yulin dog meat festival shut down.

He added: ‘We gave a show of strength and defiance against the dog thieves and the blatant animal cruelty, to say loudly – you will not steal our best friends!

‘I hope that the authorities listen, they really should do as the strength of public upset about Yulin and the trade here in China is really growing.

‘Next stop for me is Yulin, where I have been a number of times before, for the grim task of visiting the slaughterhouses before the festival starts.’

Sickening feast: Residents in Yulin tucked in their dinner made with dog meat during last year’s festival. Many of the animals, which were caged and beaten before being slaughtered, are thought to be stolen pets!

Xu Yufeng, founder of Beijing Mothers Against Animal Cruelty who were also present at the protest, said: ‘Yulin is a total embarrassment to China.

‘Its failure to stop mass dog slaughter and mass dog consumption shows that the local authorities are not doing their job to protect the people, especially young children.

‘We urge the Yulin authorities to stand on the right side of history and to end the “festival” in the interests of public security, food safety, social morality and China’s reputation.’

Another member of the protesters, Pan Danyang from China-based small animal protection group VShine, said:

‘This is the third year of our participation in the nation-wide campaign against the Yulin dog meat festival. ‘Since we have over the last few years helped accommodate dogs rescued from the dog meat trade, we know Yulin’s dog meat market relies on dogs from suspicious sources. ‘I hope that Yulin authorities will take actions to stop the dog trucks from going into their city so that the mass slaughter on the summer solstice day won’t happen.’

Visitors play with rescued dogs at a shelter ranby Yang Xiaoyun in Tianjin, China, July 8, 2015. Yang said she spent 300,000 RMB (48,248 USD) to purchase 500 dogs to rescue them from dog meat dealers at Yulin’s annual dog meat festival last month. She keeps more than 1,000 dogs in her shelters, mostly abandoned or she purchased from dog meat traders. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

To learn more & signn other petitions, please visit the following, just a handful of sites that contain very informative material:-

A Lake Charles man has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges, getting a 10-year sentence, of which four years will be served, for stealing a pit bull puppy and then abusing him. Halo, who is now in good health after being rehabilitated with the Lake Charles Pit Bull Rescue, had broken bones and pellet bullet wounds when a mail carrier found him in December. (Lake Charles Pit Bull Rescue)

Tyler Scott Sanderspleaded guilty this week to aggravated cruelty to animals and theft of animal, the news outlets reported.

The charges came after a pit bull named Halo was found with pellet gun wounds, a broken skull and other broken bones, law enforcement officials told KPLC-TV.

Halo was stolen in August, and a mail carrier found the animal in November, when he was about six months old.

Halo was taken in by the Lake Charles Pit Bull Rescue, which rehabilitated him.

He has some ongoing health issues but is up and running, according to theTeam Halo Facebook page, which has chronicled the puppy’s recovery and the court case.

“There’s a possibility that his front right leg may have to be amputated. It’s an inch shorter than the other legs and he’s still growing so it may eventually bother him,” Jess Single, with the Lake Charles Pit Bull Rescue, said Saturday. “Right now he runs and plays with the others well.“

Single and Renee Smith, along with other volunteers with therescue group, praised the judge and prosecutor for taking the case seriously.

“The DA’s office worked non stop to also make sure that justice was served. They fell in love with Halo and made sure that a message was sent that animal abuse is not tolerated in this parish,” Smith wrote on Facebook.

A judge imposed a 10-year prison term, then suspended half of the sentence, and said Sanders would have to spend 85 percent of it behind bars, plus pay for medical bills and a $5,000 fine, the news outlets reported.

“BE THE CHANGE…Please support this movie; donate what you can! Read the information, digest it, then share it will everyone you know! Nobody needs the skin of an animal except the animal, their fur is to protect them from the elements; not us!!! Please do whatever you can to stop this inhumane trade; read the MISSION statement below, read the links & sign petitions, thanks!”

Every year, more than 50 MILLIONfur-bearinganimals, including man’s best friend and feline companion, are brutally murdered without mercy in the name of greed, vanity and ignorance. The fur trade is criminal and an atrocity at the lowest level of inhumanity.To address the issue of animal cruelty in our society is to address the complexity of the human condition and our collective consciousness, which perceives animals as commodities, rather than loving, sentient beings.

ABOUT THE MOVIE: This compelling film reflects the need of a changing society and its revolution for evolution – not a battle with armor but a quest for spiritual epiphany and the redemption of our planet.

This film speaks the voice of truth for those who cannot speak for themselves. It does not rely on gruesome images as a means to convey the message, but it does reveal the reality.

This precedent-setting film will unveil the spiritual truth behind the veil of a culture that perpetuates the holocaust of animals for personal gain. Its pure intent is to probe into the deeper level of the psyche, so that the nemesis can be healed.

If we cannot witness inhumanity, we cannot empower humanity, and we fail as a “human” species. If we are not willing to hear their cries or experience their terror, then we are not willing to bear witness to the truth, which is the only path to redemption and transformation.

This film is one that needs to be made, for it would be a tragedy of epic proportions to passively consent to the silence of mass murder for profit and self-aggrandizement.

I have asked myself the question: If not me, then who? Someone needs to make this film, to beckon the soul of humanity to awaken. That’s us, you and me. If not us, then who? If not now, when?

Without our voice, the animals have no voice.

Thank you for your support of this critical film, on behalf of the animals and humanity on our planet.

THE CRY OF THE INNOCENT: The voices that can’t speak (Movie Trailer Premier)

“A lie goes half way around the world before truth puts on its boots.” – Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)

What is the state of our world’s conscience when we can tolerate the needless and horrific act of a sentient being skinned alive for its fur and empower the industry that profits from such atrocity?

Social responsibility, ecological preservation and evolution of consciousness are the challenges of this decade. It is evident that we have not yet fully evolved as a society when the unconscionable practices and cruelty of the fur trade, and the inhumane suffering of all afflicted animals, is still a reality in the 21st century. The killing of defenceless animals is an atrocity and reprehensible violation of the innocent, and should no longer be tolerated in a civilized and evolved society.

What is the price an innocent animal must pay for the sake of commerce, in the guise of fulfilling society’s needs? Does our desire for material adornment outweigh human compassion and empathy?

How can we witness the massacre of innocent baby seals taken from their mother while nursing in Canadian waters and condone such an egregious act by continuing to invest in Canadian products, tourism and Canada’s stock market?

What is the state of society’s consciousness when man’s “best friend” and “feline companion” are mutilated and heinously killed for the skin on their bodies? Where are the laws to protect them? And why do we continue to invest in China and export their products to North America?

The impetus that drives the fur trade is the fashion industry, and film is the most powerful medium in which to convey the truth.

This precedent-setting film will leave an indelible imprint on the soul of humanity, intuitively evolving the collective consciousness toward sustainable change by bridging the link to cruelty through the soul perspective, with its center on the fur trade as a paradigm of a larger nemesis permeating our world.

AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF HUMANITY ON OUR PLANET

This critical film is a calling for transformational social evolution.

The impact of the film’s message will intuitively evolve the collective consciousness toward fundamental and sustainable change and iinstilthe principles of compassion, empathy, love and humanity on our planet, and in turn, save the lives of countless animals around the globe. The power of respect will change our world.

We will unite in a new world paradigm that stands in the power of good that will forever overcome the forces of evil and harm to all sentient beings and mother earth.

The way our animals are treated is the moral and spiritual compass of our humanity.

“Why the hell do we need to keep talking about killing horses for food…for Christ’s sake!! We already kill more than enough cow’s, pigs, sheep & poultry, all classed as livestock. These days the demand for high-end meat products, at good retail prices, mean livestock are modified, to produce the maximum end product! With the introduction of specific genes to the male species, breeding via artificial insemination & intense farming methods, which often use genetics & growth hormone drugs, to give the best profitable products; I think the USDA & the Health & Safety dudes have plenty to occupy themselves!!!

Especially since the recent scare of horse meat contaminating meat supposed to be fit for human consumption…when it clearly isn’t& probably hasn’t been for a while! 99% of horses have drugs, wormer’s, fly repellents etc. administered within their bodies even at young ages; meaning their meat is totally unfit for human consumption!

Horses are not intensely farmed, they do not take growth hormones to make them fatter in the rump to make better steaks…because first & foremost, THEY ARE NOT LIVESTOCK ! Horses are & always will be considered companion animals. Horses are pets, as much a part of the family as cats & dogs; therefore they should be classed as such; PETS! I for one would no more see my horse as edible, than any of my dogs; could you eat your dog??

If there is an abundance of horses that can not be cared for, then kind euthanasia is the answer; providing a gentle, painless death, in order to prevent suffering. Horse slaughter is a death fraught with terror, pain, & suffering, which often starts before they are even loaded onto a trailer; many hours or days before they get to the slaughter plant!!

“There is a template at the end of this news post, kindly written by Julie Jo (Facebook) along with an email address. Could everyone please copy & paste the letter & send it to the address below: please don’t let them kill our pets, horses belong in a stable…not the bloody table.”

The U.S. will be legally obligated to inspect horse-slaughtering plants if Congress doesn’t act to reinstate a ban on the killing of the animals, which would only be used in meat for export, the Department of Agriculture said.

Congress last year lifted the ban established in 2006 that prevented horse slaughter in the U.S., Michelle Saghafi, a USDA spokeswoman, said in an e-mailed statement today. While no plants are currently authorized to slaughter horses, “several companies” have asked that theUSDA Food Safety and Inspection Servicere-establish inspections, the agency said.

“These companies must still complete necessary technical requirements and FSIS must still complete its inspector training, but at that point, the department will legally have no choice but to go forward with inspections, which is why we urge Congress to reinstate the ban,” according to the USDA statement, which did not give a time frame on when inspections would occur.

The first horse-slaughtering plant may be approved in the next two months, according to A. Blair Dunn, a lawyer for Valley Meat Co., owner of a plant in Roswell,New Mexico. The New YorkTimes reported the possible approval earlier today.

Lawsuit Filed

Valley Meat filed a lawsuit against the USDA and FSIS in October and alleged that the USDA was violating the Federal Meat Inspection Actby failing to offer inspection for horse meat,Dunn, who is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, said in a telephone interview. The law states that the USDA must appoint inspectors to examine “all amenable species,” which include horses, before slaughter, Dunn said.

This week, theJustice Departmentasked for another 60 days to respond to the lawsuit, Dunn said. The request was made so “USDA can make sure all the components are in compliance in order to issue a grant of inspection,” according to Dunn. The USDA has notified Valley Meat that the company has completed all of its requirements to move forward, Dunn said.

Once approved, Valley Meat will sell the horse meat for export, Dunn said. They’d be open to selling domestically if there is a market, he said.

FSIS doesn’t allow imports of horse meat from other countries to the U.S. for human consumption, Cathy Cochran, a spokeswoman for USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, said in an e-mailed statement. Also, none of the countries or companies in the European Union that have recently recalled beef because of non-disclosed horse meat ship beef to the U.S., she said.

European Withdrawals

In Europe, retailers withdrew products such as frozen beef burgers, lasagne and meat balls from the shelves after the discovery of horse meat in products in several countries, after the initial case in Ireland in mid-January. The European Union has ordered immediate testing across the region for equine DNA in beef products and the veterinary drug phenylbutazone in horse meat.

“The meat and poultry inspection process in the U.S. puts FSIS inspectors carrying out our mandatory inspection requirements in U.S. plants every day they operate and at ports of entry inspecting products that come into our country,” Cochran said in the statement.

The agency also conducts “port-of-entry re-inspections for imported products, and that offers evidence on how other country’s inspection systems are working, she said. In addition, there are yearly reviews of countries that export to the U.S. to make sure they are “at least equivalent” to the U.S. process, she said. FSIS also conducts on-site regulatory system audits at least once every three years in nations that ship to the U.S.

I have learned that you are likely to approve a horse slaughtering plant in Roswell, New Mexico in the next two months and I do not set well with this. New Mexico has served for years as a gruesome funnel for horses going to slaughter in Mexico. A horse slaughter facility in Roswell, New Mexico, will only increase the traffic of horses coming into our state for slaughter.

In the midst of drought and economic difficulty, New Mexicans have rallied around humane solutions for horses, including an emergency feed assistance program, subsidized gelding program, and a humane euthanasia program. I understand 120,000 U.S. horses/year are sent to slaughter — actually a number that we can do something about. With less breeding and more support for a basic infrastructure to support horses, America‘s horses will be provided with some basic compassion and decency, which they deserve.

I understand that the applicant for the Roswell license had previous USDA violations when they were operating as a cattle slaughterhouse. Documented evidence of egregious violations and a lack of enforcement by the USDA in U.S. slaughterhouses led to the de-funding of USDA inspections in 2007, but in the absence of a federal ban on horse slaughter, America’s wild and domestic horses continue to be shipped across federal borders where they are slaughtered just as inhumanely to this very day. If horse slaughter plants are reopened in the U.S., horses will undoubtedly suffer torturous agony on U.S. soil again.

This is evidenced by cruelty violations and lack of enforcement of the and lack of enforcement of the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act that have been documented in GAO reports. U.S. undercover surveillance footage shows horses being whipped, beaten and electrically prodded and repeatedly bludgeoned, resulting in fully conscious horses being dragged, hung, bled out and dismembered alive. Established research indicates that there is no data to support the inflated number of horses reported as abandoned in the U.S. Countless unsubstantiated reports and articles are circulated by proponents which create the misconception that abandonment is out of control. It’s a crime to abandon, neglect or abuse a horse, and history clearly shows that crime rates increase during times of economic downturn.

The substantiated data shows there is an increase in horses in need that is tied to the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. Investigations have revealed some of the horses found abandoned were rejected for slaughter and were simply dumped by kill buyers. This would not have happened if slaughter was illegal. The “unmanageable surplus horses” is an artificial crisis created by the proponents to justify slaughter as “a necessary evil”, but slaughter is not driven by a surplus of horses; rather it is driven by a foreign market for horse meat.

On average, less than 1% of the 9 million horses that exist in the U.S. are “surplus or unwanted”. This tiny fraction of the horse population can easily be managed and reabsorbed back into the equine community just as it has in the past. The “surplus” of horses created by the industry can simply be kept longer, sold or traded, retrained in new disciplines, donated to retirement and rescue facilities, humanely euthanized or they can provide a public service such as equine therapy.

When the market for horsemeat dropped, and the number of horses sent to slaughter went from over 300,000 in the 1990’s to less than 50,000 in 2003, the industry was forced to take responsibility for the surplus of horses. The country was not overrun with “unwanted” horses; rather they were reabsorbed back into the equine community.

Horse owners that are unable to provide continuing care for their horses can have them humanely euthanized for the cost equal to one month’s care. Humane euthanasia clinics are often times available to horse owners that cannot afford to have a qualified veterinarian administer the lethal injection.

Slaughter creates a salvage or secondary market that enables and encourages over breeding and contributes to any excess horses in the market. U.S. horses, whether used for competition, recreation or work are treated with many substances known to be toxic to humans; substances that can be lethal when ingested by humans, and many of which have been banned from the human food chain in most countries. Horse slaughter is NOT desirable economic development. As evidenced from the past 30 years of operation in the U.S., these communities have been devastated by slaughter’s negative economic and environmental impacts. The government paid out over five million dollars in tax payer money a year to subsidize three foreign-owned horse slaughter plants in the U.S.

Horses have an established total impact on the US Gross Domestic Product of $112.1 BILLION and if “surplus’ horses are not sent to slaughter their absorption back into the equine community can instead provide a boost to the economy. Millions of dollars in losses are attributed to horse slaughter by those that have come forward from within the slaughter industry.

The majority of equine industry and community members OPPOSE horse slaughter.

Horse slaughter benefits a relatively small number of powerful stakeholders within the U.S. equine industry that stand to profit from the exploitation of irresponsible excess breeding practices.

You will see in the video below exactly what happens to these slaughter horses:-

Viewer Discretion Is Advised

I trust that upon examination of the above facts you will find it in the best interest of the USDA and the state of New Mexico to not approve of this.

Yours faithfully

Your Name & Country

Please – take the time to read the following facts about horse slaughter, don’t be fooled into thinking horses will die of starvation; if horse slaughter plants don’t re-open!! Satisfy your own knowledge, please, read the facts below from the HSUS:-

“The other day I didn’t post it on here, but I tweeted what I found on a football forum; that someone found out who he was & apparently “he got a good pasting” (pasting means a good hiding) I did say in one of the post I did, that if the people of Sheffield found out who he was, that I wouldn’t want to be him; if they found him! Well, it sounds like they found him & gave him a taste of his own medicine! However…this is only hear say from an online forum, so please, don’t take it as the gospel truth!”

“Although I can’t help but hope it was true, & the evil bastard was indeed paid a visit, whilst out on bail; by some animal advocates with a bit of muscle! Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the maximum fine for animal cruelty and welfare offences is £20,000. The maximum term of imprisonment for offences is six months. I personally think the’ jail term’ is pathetic, especially in such evil, premeditated acts like this!. Just as long as he gets the maximum & we get a picture of him, so everybody knows who he is”

By Polly Rippon
Published on Thursday 28 February 2013 09:24

‘SOFT as a bottle of pop, he wouldn’t harm a fly’ – this is the first picture of the little dog tortured, beaten and burned to death in Sheffield.

Tortured dog Issak

Trusting terrier Issac was snatched from a garden in the city, led into scrubland and tied to a tree before his legs were broken, he was attacked, and his body set alight.

Last night, a 28-year-old man was on bail after being arrested by police on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Today the woman caring for the pet when he was stolen sobbed to The Star of her heartbreak.

Rachelle Bannister-Hind, aged 42, wept: “Issac was nine years old but he was soft as a bottle of pop, gentle and playful like a puppy.

“He’d lick you to death rather than bite. He wouldn’t harm a fly.

“He has been part of our family for nine years – he was like a child to us.

“I am absolutely shocked at the level of violence. I didn’t think a human being could possibly do something like that.”

Rachelle, a scuba diving instructor from Arbourthorne, was looking after Issac for a friend, Andrew McNamara, while he was working away from home.

“My friend had a secure garden, and Issac was running in and out of the house having the time of his life,” said Rachelle. “Everybody at the party was fussing him and he was loving it.”

But when Rachelle set off to go home, she realised Issac had disappeared.

“I panicked,” she said. “I searched the house and we went out into the streets looking for him. We searched everywhere.”

The next day, Rachelle rang Andrew in Birmingham, and he told her to contact the police.

On Monday, police released details of the horrifying discovery of a dog’s bloodied and charred body on a path off Manor Laith Road, Skye Edge – and, that night, officers confirmed the dog was missing Issac.

He had been identified by his microchip. Rachelle said: “I am absolutely gutted, and of course I feel responsible because he was in my care. Andrew is absolutely devastated.”

She thanked Star readers for helping with the police investigation and pledging reward money to catch the attacker.

Rachelle said: “We would both like to say a very big thank you to everyone, it is greatly appreciated.”

Animal lover 12-year-old Olivia Christian was one of those offering money as a reward. The schoolgirl from Mansfield pledged her £5 pocket money and told The Star: “When I heard about it I was crying all night.

“I love animals – I’ve got two hamsters, a fish and a cat. I wanted to do something to help.”

She said: “I help look after abandoned animals myself at Thornberry Animal Sanctuary. This has broken my heart. We see animals here which have been abused. I just want them to find whoever has done this.”

Rachel Christian wrote on The Star’s Facebook page: “I hope the person responsible gets properly punished, not just a slap on the wrist.”

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DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS BLOG - SOME PICTURES & VIDEOS CAN & WILL BE VERY GRAPHIC - SO PLEASE, VIEW THIS BLOG AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.

You can find out more about me & this blog by reading "ABOUT THIS BLOG" on the menu (when i finish it) lol

PLEASE NOTE.....
Not all of my posts will be current news, or even about animal abuse! I do like to share other animal news, uplifting stories or videos; some that are funny or just touch the heart!

If I have anything to say on any post, you will see it in bold blue writing. I try to remain a lady, but it's hard to contain my anger & emotions at the some of the stories I post; I don’t have a heart of stone, tears stain many articles I write!

Lastly, my apologies for any errors; I am learning whilst posting, so if you find anything that doesn't work or a broken link, sorry, I'm only human!!!!

ABOUT THESE POSTS

I would just like to make readers aware, that I search for stories on the internet; regards animal abuse etc. I copy stories etc. from the internet; assuming these stories are correct at time of publishing. Having said that, sometimes the press get it wrong! So I just want to add that at the time of me posting a news story, I presume all the facts seem present & correct.
Please note....all people mentioned in this blog, are presumed innocent, until proven otherwise, in a court of law.

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For anyone wishing to connect to me via my Facebook page...PLEASE NOTE, ONLY PEOPLE I ADD AS ANIMAL ADVOCATES CAN SEE MY WHOLE PAGE...I do this out of respect for those friends I have who do not wish to see graphic images, videos or links of animal abuse!
As 99% of my page is animal related; anyone not in the above group of friends; will only see a limited amount of posts!!
DUE TO ANIMAL HATERS...I WILL ONLY ADD PEOPLE WHO CAN PROVE WHO THEY ARE via Facebook, Wordpress, Twitter etc. & WHO HAVE A GENUINE INTEREST IN ANIMAL WELFARE... i.e. if your Facebook page has absolutely nothing to do with animals, I see no point in joining my page. My Facebook is solely for animal welfare, I am not interested in playing games etc. I don't mean to sound rude but I am not interested in the amount of friends I have, its the quality of those friends that count.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND REQUESTS FOR YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN. I do not want anyone to be upset by graphic images etc.
My aim is to educate & raise awareness to the horrors animals face, at the hands of humans, every day, around the world!!
We can not hope to achieve better laws, to protect animals, unless we unite as one, to speak up for those who are voiceless!!
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